New York, December 06, 2025
The U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team (U-23 WNT), under head coach Emma Hayes, has undergone a significant transformation in 2025 to serve as a core component of the United States’ strategy to deepen talent options for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. This shift aligns the U-23 squad closely with the senior USWNT’s tactical and developmental framework to ensure a robust player pipeline.
Emma Hayes’s Overhaul of the U-23 Program
Emma Hayes has addressed longstanding developmental gaps by integrating the U-23s into the senior team’s operational environment. No longer a peripheral developmental stage, the U-23 WNT functions as a high-performance group that adheres closely to the USWNT’s playing style, training regimens, scouting, and tactical meetings. Hayes describes this change as transforming what was once a “lost generation” into a strategic asset.
Recent Competitive Performance Signals Progress
The progress under Hayes’s leadership was underscored by the U-23s’ 4–2 victory over England’s U-23 team in October 2025. Scorers included key U-23 contributors Emeri Adames and Maddie Dahlien, alongside Sarah Weber and Ally Sentnor—who already holds regular senior USWNT caps. Sentnor emphasized the near-identical setup between the U-23 and senior teams, facilitating a seamless transition to the highest level of international competition.
Dual Caps and NWSL Integration Strengthen Depth
Increasingly, the U-23 roster features players who oscillate between senior and U-23 duties based on developmental need and current form. Notable dual-cap players include Gisele Thompson and Eva Gaetino, while NWSL regulars such as Adames, Dahlien, Gia Corley, and Evelyn Shores bring professional experience to the squad. This flexible approach maximizes tactical development and ensures that emerging talents are consistently evaluated in competitive settings.
Broadening Tactical Options and Leadership
The revitalized U-23 program enhances depth in multiple areas critical for 2027 World Cup planning. Technically skilled forwards and midfielders suited to Hayes’s preferred system—such as Adames, Dahlien, Joseph, and Corley—are now more readily available. Defensive prospects including Lilly Reale, Jordyn Bugg, and Kennedy Wesley are gaining essential international experience and confidence. Moreover, leaders who have participated in several U-23 camps, such as Dahlien, Taylor Huff, and Sarah Schupansky, are fostering continuity and cohesion within this group.
Integration With Professional and Collegiate Pipelines
The U-23 WNT serves as a pivotal link between collegiate competition and professional play in the NWSL. The roster features prominent NCAA champions like Shores and Dahlien from UNC’s 2024 title team, allowing college players to maintain tactical sharpness and fitness during off seasons. This integration ensures the U-23 setup remains a relevant stepping stone, sustaining talent flow into the senior national system.
Emma Hayes’s strategic alignment of the U-23 Women’s National Team with the senior USWNT has established a more dynamic, well-prepared talent pool ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. By fostering competitive experience, tactical familiarity, and leadership within this critical age group, the United States is positioned to approach the tournament with increased depth and versatility across all positions.